Federal officials released previously classified documents, which reveal that the U.S. National Security Agency misused phone records it secretly collected from millions of Americans.
The misuse involved 15,000 phone records in 2009 that had been identified for further scrutiny without meeting the proper standard for their suspected link to terrorism.
Though government officials say the problems were resolved, the revelations support a skeptical view of the NSA’s data collection program.
One secret court judge was so concerned that the agency was misusing its power, even contrary to the “sworn attestations of several executive branch officials,” that he ordered the government to provide an explanation so he could determine whether to rescind the secret court order authorizing the record collection, and whether to hold those involved in “contempt” of court.
Government spokesman, as usual, said they had implemented better oversight. But the revelations of Edward Snowden appear to undermine this assertion. Patrick Leahy, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman said the new disclosures are evidence of “systemic problems” with NSA’s secret surveillance program.
The Roman Catholic Inquisition in the Middle Ages involved a system of spying on regular citizens and kept them in fear of the government. In the name of fighting terrorism, the protections built into the U.S. Constitution to prevent another inquisition are being blurred and gradually removed. The nations are preparing to assist Rome in restoring her despotism in modern times. See Revelation 17:1-6.
“[Rome] is silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men. She is piling up her lofty and massive structures in the secret recesses of which her former persecutions will be repeated.” Great Controversy, page 581
Massive surveillance programs are part of the system being established to eventually target those who love and uphold God’s commandments.